Air-liquid heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

An air-liquid heat exchanger consists in an insulated chamber adapted to allow hot air to pass therethrough. A coil member extends through the insulated chamber and is adapted to allow a heat transfer liquid to pass into and then out of the insulated chamber. There is at least one bracket adapted to hold the coil member in a predetermined position and spacing between the windings of the coil within the insulated chamber, and at least one baffle member placed between the coil member and an interior surface of the insulated chamber and adapted to slow down the speed of air flow through the insulated chamber. A slower air speed increases the time and number of contactrs between the hot air and the coil member and thereby allows for an efficient exchange from the hot air to the heat transfer liquid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to heat transfer but more particularly to an air-liquid heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heat exchange is a well known process which is typically between similar fluids such as air to air and liquid to liquid. There are also systems that cool down liquids with air but very few systems are used for heating a liquid with air since water, for example, is 784 times denser than air and therefore requires a volume of air much higher than the volume of liquid in order to have an impact on heat exchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

To provide for a practical and economical way of having an air to liquid or even a liquid to air heat exchanger.

In order to do so, the invention comprises an insulated chamber adapted to allow hot air to pass therethrough. A coil member extends through the insulated chamber and is adapted to allow a heat transfer liquid to pass into and then out of the insulated chamber. There is at least one bracket adapted to hold the coil member in a predetermined position and spacing of the windings of the coil within the insulated chamber, and force the air to pass in between the coil windings to multiply the contact points and duration and favor extensive heat exchange. At least one baffle member placed between the coil member and an interior surface of the insulated chamber and adapted to slow down the speed of air flow through the insulated chamber. A slower air speed increases the time of contact between the hot air and the coil member and thereby allows for an efficient exchange from the hot air to the heat transfer liquid.

The coil member includes a plurality of coiled sections to thereby increase the amount of heat transfer liquid inside the insulated chamber at any given time. In a preferred embodiment, the coil members are formed from metal tubing.

The insulated chamber is formed including insulating material chosen from a group of insulating material comprising rock wool, fiberglass, wood, high density polystyrene, and urethane.

The at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a common baffle, which is adapted to direct air through gaps between the windings towards a given side of the insulated chamber. Another at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a splitter baffle, which is adapted to direct air onto a given side of the insulated chamber and collects air from an opposite side of the insulated chamber. Yet another at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a corner baffle, which is adapted to direct air from one side of the insulated chamber to an adjacent side.

As part of an air-liquid heat exchanger system, it comprises:

-   -   a) a heat source adapted to heat air;     -   b) a plurality of ducts connected between the heat source and an         air-liquid heat exchanger;     -   c) a fan adapted to force hot air from the heat source to the         air-liquid heat exchanger;     -   d) an insulated chamber adapted to allow the hot air from the         plurality of the ducts to pass therethrough: a coil member         extending through the insulated chamber and adapted to allow a         heat transfer liquid to pass into and then out of the insulated         chamber; at least one bracket adapted to hold the coil member in         a predetermined position and spacing between windings within the         insulated chamber; and at least one baffle member placed between         the coil member and an interior surface of the insulated chamber         and adapted to slow down the speed of aft flow and multiply         contact points and duration through the insulated chamber and         thereby allow efficient heat to exchange from the hot air to the         heat transfer liquid;     -   e) a pump connected in series to the coil member and adapted to         circulate the heat transfer liquid through the coil member;     -   f) and a tank connected in series to the coil member and adapted         to store heated heat transfer liquid therein;

In a preferred embodiment, the heat source is adapted to convert energy from a renewable clean energy source.

In a further preferred embodiment, the renewable clean heat energy source is formed as solar panels adapted to retrieve solar energy from the sun and heat the air inside the ducts.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-d Top view of the invention with detail views of the baffles.

FIGS. 2 a-c Side, and end views of the invention.

FIG. 3 Schematic view of the entire system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An air-liquid heat exchanger (10) has an insulated chamber (12) into which circulates hot air (14) which is forced through a series of baffles (16, 16′, 16″) to slow down the speed of air so as to increase the time of contact of the air with a tubing coil member (18) into which a liquid (not shown), typically water, circulates. The hot air (14) is forced through the chamber by way of a fan (22), and the liquid (not shown) is passed through the coil member (18) by way of a pump (24). The flow of the liquid is regulated so that it remains in the coil member (18) long enough to absorb heat by way of exchange from the hot air (14) flow. The warmed up liquid (not shown) can be stored inside a tank (26) and a source of hot air (28) can be generated from any source, preferably from a renewable, clean source, such as from solar energy (34)—for example—heating up solar panels (36) which in turn heat up the air therein, which then circulates through ducts (38).

The chamber (12) is insulated using any of a number of insulating material (20) including, but not limited to, rock wool, fiberglass, wood, or high density polystyrene, or urethane, or any such insulating material.

The coil can have its entry and exit points (30) into the chamber (12) on the same side. The same applies to the air entry and exit points (32) into the chamber (12) which can also be on the same side. Of course the entry and exit points can be on opposite sides of the chamber while still being within the scope of the invention. The coil (18) is held in place by way of coil brackets (19) which also maintain proper spacing between the windings of the coil (18).

Baffles (16, 16′, 16″) come in three varieties: splitter baffles (16′) which direct the air on a given side of the chamber (12) and collects it on the other side. Common baffles (16) which are dispersed throughout the chamber (12), and corner baffles (16″) which are found at the corners of the chamber (12).

The common baffles (16) have a generally triangular shape which is symmetrical on the sides where the air makes contact. They are generally spaced at regular intervals and spread evenly across an interior wall (13) of the chamber (12). The number of baffles (16, 16′, 16″) is dependent upon the size and shape of the chamber (12). The length of the coil member (18) also varies according the desired heat exchange as it relates to fluid flow rate and all the usual factors involved in heat exchange.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. An air-liquid heat exchanger comprising an insulated chamber adapted to allow hot air to pass therethrough: a coil member extending through said insulated chamber and adapted to allow a heat transfer liquid to pass into and then out of said insulated chamber; at least one bracket adapted to hold said coil member in a predetermined position and spacing of windings of said coil within said insulated chamber, and force air to pass in between said coil windings to multiply contact points and duration and favor extensive heat exchange within said insulated chamber; and at least one baffle member placed between said coil member and an interior surface of said insulated chamber and adapted to slow down the speed of air flow through said insulated chamber to thereby increase the time of contact between the hot air and said coil member and thereby allow efficient heat to exchange from said hot air to said heat transfer liquid.
 2. The air-liquid heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein said coil member includes a plurality of coiled sections to thereby increase the amount of heat transfer liquid inside the insulated chamber at any given time.
 3. The air-liquid heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein said insulated chamber is formed including insulating material chosen from a group of insulating material comprising rock wool, fiberglass, wood, high density polystyrene, and urethane.
 4. The air-liquid heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein said at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a common baffle, which is adapted to direct air through gaps between said windings towards a given side of the insulated chamber.
 5. The air-liquid heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein said at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a splitter baffle, which is adapted to direct air onto a given side of the insulated chamber and collects air from an opposite side of the insulated chamber.
 6. The air-liquid heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein said at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a corner baffle, which is adapted to direct air from one side of the insulated chamber to an adjacent side.
 7. The air-liquid heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of baffle members placed throughout the insulated chamber; at least one baffle member being formed in the shape of a common baffle, which is adapted to direct air through gaps between said windings towards a given side of said insulated chamber; at least one baffle member being formed in the shape of a splitter baffle, which is adapted to direct air onto a given side of the insulated chamber and collects air from an opposite side of the insulated chamber; and at least one baffle member being formed in the shape of a corner baffle, which is adapted to direct air from one side of the insulated chamber to an adjacent side.
 8. The air-liquid heat exchanger claim 1, wherein said coil members are formed from metal tubing.
 9. The air-liquid heat exchanger claim 1, wherein said common baffles have a generally triangular shape which is symmetrical on the sides where the air makes contact; said common baffles are generally spaced at regular intervals and spread evenly across an interior wall of said chamber.
 10. An air-liquid heat exchanger system comprising: a. a heat source adapted to heat air; b. a plurality of ducts connected between said heat source and an air-liquid heat exchanger; c. a fan adapted to force hot air from said heat source to said air-liquid heat exchanger; d. an insulated chamber adapted to allow said hot air from said plurality of said ducts to pass therethrough: a coil member extending through said insulated chamber and adapted to allow a heat transfer liquid to pass into and then out of said insulated chamber; at least one bracket adapted to hold said coil member in a predetermined position and spacing between said windings within said insulated chamber; and at least one baffle member placed between said coil member and an interior surface of said insulated chamber and adapted to slow down the speed of air flow through said insulated chamber to thereby increase the time of contact between the hot air and said coil member and thereby allow efficient heat to exchange from said hot air to said heat transfer liquid; e. a pump connected in series to said coil member and adapted to circulate said heat transfer liquid through said coil member; f. and a tank connected in series to said coil member and adapted to store heated heat transfer liquid therein;
 11. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said coil member includes a plurality of coiled sections to thereby increase the amount of heat transfer liquid inside the insulated chamber at any given time.
 12. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said insulated chamber is formed as including insulating material chosen from a group of insulating material comprising rock wool, fiberglass, wood, high density polystyrene, and urethane.
 13. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a common baffle, which is adapted to direct air through the gaps between windings towards a given side of the insulated chamber.
 14. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a spotter baffle, which is adapted to direct air onto a given side of the insulated chamber and collects air from an opposite side of the insulated chamber.
 15. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said at least one baffle member is formed in the shape of a corner baffle, which is adapted to direct air from one side of the insulated chamber to an adjacent side.
 16. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein there are a plurality of baffle members placed throughout the insulated chamber; at least one baffle member being formed in the shape of a common baffle, which is adapted to direct air air through the gaps between windings towards a given side of the insulated chamber; at least one baffle member being formed in the shape of a splitter baffle, which is adapted to direct air onto a given side of the insulated chamber and collects air it from an opposite side of the insulated chamber; and at least one baffle member being formed in the shape of a corner baffle, which is adapted to direct air from one side of the insulated chamber to an adjacent side.
 17. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said coil members are formed from metal tubing.
 18. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said heat source is adapted to convert energy from a renewable clean energy source.
 19. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 18, wherein said heat source is formed as solar panels adapted to retrieve solar energy from the sun and heat the air inside said ducts.
 20. The air-liquid heat exchanger system of claim 10, wherein said common baffles have a generally triangular shape which is symmetrical on the sides where the air makes contact; said common baffles are generally spaced at regular intervals and spread evenly across an interior wall of said chamber. 